UPDATE: Two confirmed dead in Potter Valley house fire

Authorities are investigating two deaths at the scene of a suspicious house fire Saturday morning across from the Potter Valley Fire Department on Main Street, according to Mendocino County Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Kurt Smallcomb.

"We responded to a call for service for a house that was fully involved and possible victims in the residence," Smallcomb said.

The fire was reported shortly after 8 a.m., and firefighters from several agencies responded to find the home fully involved in flames, according to Potter Valley Fire Department Chief Bill Pauli. Firefighters had the fire under control at 9:26 a.m., according to CalFire.

Smallcomb confirmed at 11:30 a.m. that least one person died inside the burning home, and said firefighters were still mopping up hot spots and working to determine whether a second victim was in the rubble. Pauli confirmed at 3 p.m. that a second person was found dead inside the home.

Deputies responding to the fire learned that family members had left the home when the fire started, but that two people were still inside and unaccounted for, according to a press release that came later in the day from the MCSO.

The two victims had not been identified Saturday, according to the MCSO, which further stated that more information will be available next week.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Smallcomb said, and is considered suspicious. The PVFD, CalFire and MCSO continue to investigate.

Pauli confirmed reports that neighbors heard explosions after the fire started, but could not comment further because of the ongoing investigation. Traffic remained closed in both directions on Main Street Saturday afternoon.

More information about the fire will be reported as it becomes available.

Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@pacific.net, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.